Elevated concentrations of salivary secretory immunoglobulin A anti-cow's milk protein in newborns at risk of allergy.
Secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) anti-casein and SIgA anti-beta-lactoglobulin (BLG) were determined in the saliva of 158 healthy mature infants at birth and in breast milk samples using a direct Elisa technique. IgG anti-casein and anti-BLG were measured in serum samples from mothers and newborns (cord blood). A high risk of allergy was defined in 66 infants who had cord blood (CB)-IgE levels greater than or equal to 0.9 IU/ml and/or parents with atopic diseases. Thirty infants had CB levels less than 0.9 IU/ml and parents without clinical symptoms of atopy but with elevated serum IgE concentrations or type I skin reactions to common allergens (low risk). Sixty-two infants had CB-IgE levels less than 0.9 IU/ml and healthy parents (no risk). The groups were matched for social status, smoking and dietary habits. SIgA anti-casein and anti-BLG were detected in all newborns. SIgA anti-casein was significantly higher (p less than 0.05) in high risk infants (medium 157; 50% confidence limits 45-270) than in no risk (48; 25-150) or low risk infants (43; 21-130). SIgA anti-casein values correlated with maternal allergy, maternal allergy plus CB-IgE, but not with paternal allergy. Breast milk SIgA anti-BLG was depressed (p less than 0.05) in mothers with manifest allergy compared to healthy mothers. Determination of salivary SIgA anti-casein may represent an additional screening method for early detection of infants with atopic disposition.
Renz
H
H
Children's Hospital, Marburg a.d. Lahn, FRG.
Vestner
R
R
Petzoldt
S
S
Brehler
C
C
Prinz
H
H
Rieger
C H
CH
D002364:Caseins / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000032:analysis*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000276:immunology*; D007782:Lactoglobulins / Q000276:immunology; D016269:Milk Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000276:immunology; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology*
D002364:Caseins; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007782:Lactoglobulins; D008894:Milk Proteins